Youth Apprenticeship Gives Edge to Croft in Tech Field
Croft working the lighting board during BHS’ production of "Seussical". Photo courtesy of Marie Perry
On the job training is worth so much to high school students as they contemplate what future career path they might want to take. It provides a window into what it would be like to work in a field of interest before one leaves the halls of their high school to think about further education or entering the workplace. In this way, Youth Apprenticeships offer Belleville High School students a unique opportunity for students to step into on-the-job training as early as their junior year; and, for someone interested in the Technology field, Sariah Croft didn’t even need to leave her high school! Croft is currently benefiting from a two-year apprenticeship under the guidance of Mr. Chris Armstrong, Director of Information Technology (IT) for the School District of Belleville.
Sariah Croft says, “My apprenticeship has been and continues to be a significant learning experience. I have gotten the chance to apply my interest in technology to a future career path. I get to experience what work in information technology looks like and learn with technology on a larger scale with the help of my mentors. At work, I help teachers with their issues and learn how the technology and systems we use keep the school running. Additionally, my apprenticeship and other opportunities at school allow me to learn more about myself and my interests. I recently did the lighting for our school musical. I found that I enjoy theater – learning how to operate the lights during a show has been really interesting. I’m also taking a computer science class this year, and we all have been learning how to code in Python. We plan on competing in a coding competition this April.”
Information Technology, through this apprenticeship, has provided Croft with an amazing opportunity to stretch her wings and soar in a subject of study that allows practical application beyond what she would get in the classroom. Alongside her mentors in the school’s tech department, she gets to see real day-to-day problems and how to resolve them. It has been a confidence growing experience as Croft alludes – letting her step out of her box and try new things, including the theater arts! This year the high school musical required a larger cast than usual, opening the door for Croft’s technical skills in a way she’d never tried before. Croft quickly stepped into learning the lighting board to lend extra technical support to the production of Seussical and pulled it off without a hitch.
For Mr. Armstrong, having extra dependable help in his Information Technology department while assisting a student in an area of study he is passionate about, is simply a win-win situation!
Armstrong notes, “Sariah’s ability to work independently and tackle detailed Chromebook repairs is a testament to her exceptional skills and reliability. She is quick to understand any process and does not have to be shown again. Collaborating with her is a pleasure.”
Seeing a student like Sariah Croft show constant interest in the daily work she has through the Tech Department and perform it with a smile helps bring continued merit to the concept of Youth Apprenticeships. For a mentoring experience like this to be successful, both mentor and apprentice should be able to celebrate the experience.
Armstrong feels strongly about the growth potential he sees in Croft.
“Her ability to work autonomously speaks volumes about her reliability and self-motivation,” praises Armstrong.
For Croft, knowing she has yet another year to further develop in her role as an IT Youth Apprentice only is a testament to her stamina as a mentee. Having two years to grow in this educational atmosphere as a Youth Apprentice allows students like Croft the space to learn new things, apply those skills and then set new goals to further build on what knowledge has already been developed. From Armstrong’s lens, having a student like Croft in the IT department also expands on what he can give to an interested Youth Apprentice and the learning community he supports as Director of IT for the School District of Belleville.
